Everybody has it—the one food they love to indulge in more than anything else. The menu item that they’d want to be their last if they were on their death bed.
For Emily Pomeranz, it was a mocha milkshake from Tommy’s Restaurant in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
As her friend Sam Klein writes on Facebook, Tommy’s is famous for both its food and milkshakes. It’s the hometown favorite that calls him back every time he visits home.
“Recently, a dear friend of mine, Emily Pomeranz, who also grew up in Cleveland Heights (and also lived in the D.C. area) was moved to hospice as she had pancreatic cancer.”
It was her third bout of cancer in just 50 short years of life.
Sam went to visit his friend in hospice a few weeks back, and like anyone would do, he asked Emily if she needed anything.
‘“A Cleveland Indians hat,’ was her first response.”
The next day, Sam brought her one.
As the two friends talked, Emily revealed the one thing she really could go for was one last mocha milkshake from Tommy’s.
“Knowing that she couldn’t travel to Cleveland, I emailed the general information email address on Tommy’s website, asking if there was a way to get a milkshake the 375 miles from Coventry Road to Arlington, Virginia, where she was in hospice.”
Sam knew it was a long shot, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
To his surprise, he received a phone call from Tommy Fello—the owner of Tommy’s Restaurant.
He told Sam, “Yes. We will figure out a way to do this.”
“Sure enough, after a little research on shipping and two trips to the UPS office, he shipped a carefully packed Tommy’s mocha shake to Emily.”
How’s that for room service?
Facebook
“She talked about it for days and days. She shared the story with her friends back in Cleveland and here in the D.C. area. It was something that made everyone smile. A woman’s request for one last milkshake from her favorite restaurant. Wish granted!”
It wasn’t long after her final milkshake that Emily passed away.
“She leaves behind a treasure trove of memories; a legacy of laughter, joy and caring; grieving family and friends.”
Sam is grateful to have been able to help her fulfill one last wish in her final days. He hopes that milkshakes at Tommy’s take on a whole new meaning because of the legacy that is now beautifully linked with them.
“So, my friends, if you are in Cleveland Heights, or anywhere near there, please stop in at Coventry, order one of those incredible milkshakes and ask for Tommy (he is the one cooking in the middle of the restaurant) and say, ‘This one is for Emily. Thank you for sending one to her.'”
